The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has confirmed it will embark on an indefinite strike beginning Monday, September 8, 2025, citing what it described as “modern slavery practices” in the country’s oil and gas sector.
The union, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Afolabi Olufemi, accused Dangote Refinery of anti-labour practices and attempting to strip workers of their right to unionize.
According to NUPENG, the disagreement began after Dangote Refinery imported 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trucks for direct distribution of fuel to retailers. The refinery’s management allegedly insisted that new drivers hired for these trucks would be barred from joining existing labour unions.
The development sparked protests among petroleum tanker drivers and union members, who warned that restricting union membership violates Nigerian labour laws. While some groups, such as the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA), opposed the strike, NUPENG dismissed them as “management-sponsored organizations” created to weaken workers’ solidarity.
The union specifically accused Aliko Dangote and Sayyu Dantata of creating the DTCDA to compel drivers to register with it instead of NUPENG, the legally recognized union for tanker drivers.
“Slavery was abolished centuries ago, but some corporate interests are determined to reintroduce it under new guises,” the union declared. “Any worker denied the right to freedom of association is being treated as a slave. Nigerian citizens must reject and resist such exploitative labour practices.”
NUPENG assured its members that it remains committed to safeguarding their welfare and rights, warning that the strike will continue until Dangote Refinery complies with statutory labour standards.
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